Bears secure state spot

Win over Kamehameha Maui puts Baldwin in position for second straight MIL title

Robert Collias

Staff Writer

rcollias@mauinews.com

Baldwin’s Hayden Hawes kicks the ball forward next to Kamehameha Maui’s Gideon Aiwohi in the first half of the Bears’ 2-0 victory over the Warriors on Wednesday night at Kanaiaupuni Stadium.
• The Maui News / CHRIS SUGIDONO photo

PUKALANI — Jacob Hogin knew how important the first goal would be on Wednesday night at Kanaiaupuni Stadium.

The Baldwin High School senior midfielder delivered the eventual game-winner in the 29th minute of the Bears’ 2-0 win over Kamehameha Maui.

“It felt good, it felt super good because we had to get this done today, we had to get this win,” Hogin said of his first goal of the season. “Coach was telling me last night I was going to get my chance tonight — and I got my chance.”

Hogin’s goal came after a scramble in front of the net.

“There was a scramble and then it went through the guys’ legs and then it was kind of hard to line up, but I still got it in,” Hogin said. “It felt good because we hadn’t won up here in a long time.”

The win secured a state tournament spot for the Bears and moved them to the top of the Maui Interscholastic League boys soccer standings at 7-1-1 — with 22 points, the Bears are one point in front of King Kekaulike (6-0-3).

Baldwin can clinch its second straight MIL championship with a win at Seabury Hall (1-8-0) in its regular-season finale on Saturday. Kamehameha Maui (5-4-0), which won the 2015 and 2016 MIL titles, was eliminated from state consideration.

Baldwin lost a crucial game to King Kekaulike 3-1 on Jan. 20, but Na Alii lost control of its own destiny a few days later with a 0-0 tie with Lahainaluna.

“We kind of knew what was going on,” Baldwin coach Kaniela Palazzotto said. “Once we saw the tie (between Lahainaluna and King Kekaulike), we knew we had a chance. … Again, we’re the champs. You give us a second chance, we’re not looking back.

“Yeah, we messed that game up against King K, but the best thing about this side is we’ve been here before and we know when we take a loss we know how to bounce back.”

The Bears scored the clincher in the 65th minute when Angelo Deloso-Flocco ran on to a stellar pass down the sideline by Garbiel Andrion. The ball seemed to hug the sideline for 60 yards before Deloso-Flocco found it and beat Kamehameha Maui goalkeeper Gabriel Arcas, who had several tough saves on the night.

“We knew going in we wanted to push the game,” Palazzotto said. “The last game against these guys a couple guys couldn’t finish, so we wanted to push the game and get up early. I have got to give it up to them — we haven’t won up here in about six years. Jayson (Nakasone, the Kamehameha coach) is always going to have his boys ready.”

Kamehameha Maui’s Teva Pimentel had the best early chance, sending the ball over the crossbar in the fifth minute. Deloso-Flocco’s diving header in the 15th minute was stoned by Arcas.

Andrion sent a rocket shot off the crossbar in 29th minute, leading to the scramble in front of the Kamehameha net that Hogin cashed in.

Kamehameha Maui started a freshman, five sophomores, two juniors and three seniors.

“We always expect them to come out hard, they always do,” Nakasone said of the Bears. “We’re going to be back harder and even better, guaranteed.”

The Bears played the final 33 minutes down a player after receiving a red card in the 57th minute. They survived as Kamehameha Maui pushed its players up the field looking for the equalizer.

“Look, I’ve been blessed by the man up above to be in such a great, quality program,” Palazzotto said. “It took some work to build, but to keep it going for now 15 years. … We know we don’t have things sewn up mathematically yet and my boys are smart enough to understand that.”